THE YOUTH ASSEMBLY

IMPACT CHALLENGE

Context
With a global population of over 1.2 billion, young people possess the ambition and ability to take on
society’s greatest challenges. In order to achieve the UN 2030 Agenda, it is thus imperative to engage
youth as stakeholders and leaders for inclusive and sustainable development. ​The United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals​ serve as a guide for ​international action to reduce poverty, ​fight
inequalities for human development, promote peace and security, and tackle climate change for a
sustainable environment.

Objectives
The Youth Assembly was created in 2002 to amplify youth engagement and participation in international
dialogues, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between youth and key stakeholders in global
development to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The Youth Assembly
Impact Challenge mobilizes the creative potential of youth by providing an opportunity for them to
propose and enact ​meaningful, socially-responsible projects that address relevant issues around the world.
The primary objective of the Impact Challenge is to create impact that is sustainable and tackles a
problem through youth action and innovation.

The Impact Challenge

In accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals, The Youth Assembly Impact Challenge
encourages young people to develop original, impactful, and innovative solutions to human development,
peace and security, and environmental issues outlined in the 2030 Agenda.

Participants will design and pitch proposals for a social venture of their own creation. The winning
participants--chosen by a panel of international experts--will be awarded and connected to resources to
help launch their vision into action.

Participation Requirements
Participants of The Youth Assembly Impact Challenge are leaders and changemakers in their
communities with an enthusiasm for social innovation. Applicants must be delegates of the 24th Session
of The Youth Assembly between the ages of 16 and 28, and have a clear vision for impactful change.

Delegates may apply individually or form teams with up to 4 members​, with at least one team member
attending as a delegate at the 24th Session of The Youth Assembly.

Characteristics of Proposals
Each project must address a specific human development, or peace and security, or environmental issue,
explain its significance, and provide a detailed plan of how the project will create an innovative solution
and contribute to the implementation of the SDGs. Proposals must include distinct goals, a timeline for
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IMPACT CHALLENGE

actualizing them, and methods of measuring their impact, but most importantly, proposals must
demonstrate the passion of the youth spearheading them.

Method of Participation ​(tentative dates)

Stage 1: Application period April 8 - June 11

● Participants fill out an online application detailing their proposal.
● Once applications are completed, the YA selection team will shortlist up to 30 proposals.

Stage 2: Interview period ​June 17 - June 28

Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited to an online interview on a rolling basis
● Judges will conduct an interview to learn more about each proposal.

Selected finalists will be notified by July 3rd and invited to participate in the Finals during The Youth
Assembly

Stage 3: Final Challenge (to be held during The Youth Assembly on August 9, duration 2.5 hours)
● Each finalist will have 5 minutes to present their pitch to the Judges, followed by a 7 minute
question and answer session.
● Judges will then deliberate and select the winners.

Awarding of Winners (to be held during The Youth Assembly on August 10)
● Winners will be awarded at the Closing Ceremony of The Youth Assembly.

Submit the Application Form

Delegates must apply to the Impact Challenge by June 11,
2019.
Please adhere to the word limit for each question
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IMPACT CHALLENGE

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Proposal Presentation Guidelines:

After submission of your application form, shortlisted applicants will be invited to join the next stage of
the Impact Challenge.

1. Interview

Up to 30 candidate teams will be invited to explain their social venture idea to judges via online video
call. Participants should focus on answering the following:

1. What is the problem that you are tackling and how does it relate to one or more of the following
focus areas: (a) human development, (b) peace and security, (c) environment? Why is it
important?
2. Identify the impact that your proposed solution will make on addressing the problem.
3. Participants should clearly identify:
a. the beneficiaries of your solution
b. brief summary of how you plan to carry out the project
c. partners you plan to work with for the implementation of the project
d. costs associated with your proposed solution and how it will be supported

2. Final Challenge Presentation at The Youth Assembly

Finalists will have 5 minutes to “pitch” their proposal to our panel of judges, and 7 minutes to answer any
questions posed by the panel. Pitches consist of a ​powerpoint presentation​ outlining the proposal and a
​ ere​ is an example participants can
one-page social business canvas​ that will be submitted to the judges. H
follow to create their own canvas.

An ideal pitch is compelling, concise, and comprehensive. Successful pitches answer the following
questions:

1. What is the human development, peace and security, or environmental issue that your venture
addresses, and ​WHY​ is it important?
2. What is your plan for how this project will contribute to the implementation of the SDGs? List
concrete SDG(s) / targets you are addressing.
3. Why are you, or your team, the right people to address this issue?
4. How will your social venture function? How is your proposed solution innovative? How will it
contribute to solving the problem?
5. What are your goals and how will you actualize them?
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6. Who are your competitors and how do you differentiate from them?
7. How will your social venture achieve financial viability and sustainability?
8. How will you measure the impact of your proposal?

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Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be judged based on:
● (30%) R ​ elevance and Impact – Does the proposal directly address the problem it aims to solve?
○ Proposal addresses a clearly defined problem and makes a compelling case of its
importance.
○ Proposal directly addresses the problem it’s trying to solve and offers significant and
meaningful change.
○ Proposal addresses how it will contribute to the implementation of a Sustainable
Development Goal(s) and/or targets.
● (20%)​ ​Feasibility – Is the proposal a realistic and well thought out solution?
○ Proposal explains in detail how social venture will operate, including its leadership
structure, the product/service it will provide, how the product/service will benefit the
communities the social venture aids, and how it will be financially sustainable.
○ Proposal aspires towards clear, realistic and achievable goals.
○ Proposal addresses the potential risks it faces and includes a strategy to overcome them.
○ Proposal lists the resources it will need to be successful and how to access them.
● (20%)​ Creativity – Does the proposal demonstrate ingenuity and innovation?
○ Proposal is unique and has an innovative, new approach to the problem or introduces a
more efficient process.
○ Proposal goes beyond traditional rules, patterns, and/or definitions.
● (10%)​ Passion and Presentation – How effective was the team when pitching their proposal?
○ Presentation was passionate, engaging, and professionally delivered.
○ The presenting team demonstrated a desire and a long-term interest in making a positive
impact.
○ The presenting team used their allotted time efficiently and effectively.
● (20%)​ Long Term Vision – Will the proposal create lasting, positive change?
○ The proposal included a lasting vision for social impact with a clear outline of both short
term and long term goals.
○ Proposal demonstrated potential for growth and/or replication of the venture.
○ Proposal described clear methods to track, monitor, and assess its goals and impact.
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Awards
The winners of The Youth Assembly Impact Challenge will be awarded during the closing ceremony of
The Youth Assembly. The Impact Challenge winners will be featured on our platforms reaching over
40,000 people globally, will be provided mentorship, and seed funding for the implementation of their
projects.

Acceptance
Participation in the Challenge implies full and unconditional knowledge, adhesion and
acceptance of all the conditions contained in the Regulations, considered an integral part of the
present Regulations.

All participants must abide by ​The Youth Assembly Impact Challenge Regulations​.

Resources for Participants

● Common mistakes when developing social ventures
● Examples of successful youth led social ventures
● Success stories of social innovators
● Details to keep in mind when developing a proposal
● Tips for a successful social venture
● How to pitch your proposal
● Seven steps to ensure a perfect pitch

TIMELINE
April 8 – June 11, 2019: Stage 1 – application period

June 17 – June 28, 2019: Stage 2 – Interview of shortlisted applicants

July 3, 2019: Top Finalists will be notified

August 09, 2019 (Tentative): Stage 3 – Final Challenge at The Youth Assembly

August 10, 2019: Awarding of Winners

For queries, email ​[email protected].